Description
Enjoy a delicious batch of homemade Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls that are soft, fluffy, and packed with a rich cinnamon-sugar filling. Made with an active sourdough starter and enriched with butter, eggs, and milk, these rolls are lovingly slow-fermented for deep flavor and perfect texture. Topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, they make the ideal cozy breakfast or sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 100 grams (1/3 cup) active sourdough starter
- 175 grams (3/4 cup) warm milk (no hotter than 120°F)
- 30 grams (2 Tablespoons) dark brown sugar
- 57 grams (4 Tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
- 5 grams (3/4 teaspoon) salt
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 370 grams (2 1/2 cups + 2 Tablespoons) bread flour
- 120 grams (1/2 cup) heavy cream, warm (just before baking)
Filling
- 57 grams (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 150 grams (2/3 cup) dark brown sugar
- 12 grams (5 teaspoons) ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 28 grams (2 Tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 55 grams (2 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
- 15 grams (1 Tablespoon) heavy cream
- 90 grams (3/4 cup) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Mix Starter and Liquids: Add the active sourdough starter, dark brown sugar, and warm milk (no hotter than 120°F) to the stand mixer bowl with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until well combined.
- Add Butter, Salt, and Egg: Add melted unsalted butter, salt, and the room temperature egg to the mixture. Continue mixing on low until fully incorporated.
- Add Flour and Knead Dough: Switch to the dough hook attachment. Add the bread flour in increments of 70g (1/2 cup) while mixing on medium speed. Scrape the sides of the bowl between additions. Knead for an additional 5 minutes until the dough feels tacky, not sticky, and pulls away from the bowl.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl with a towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 6-7 hours at 70°F. Timing varies with kitchen temperature.
- Shape the Dough: Turn the risen dough onto a floured surface and roll it out into a 16×12 inch rectangle with a rolling pin.
- Apply Filling Butter: Spread softened butter evenly over the dough surface.
- Mix and Spread Cinnamon Sugar: Combine dark brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl, then sprinkle it evenly over the buttered dough.
- Roll and Slice: Roll the dough starting from the long edge closest to you into a log. Trim uneven edges. Cut into 9 equal pieces using dental floss, a sharp knife, or a pizza cutter.
- Arrange in Pan: Grease a 9×9 inch baking dish or large cast iron skillet with butter. Place rolls in the dish spaced 1/2 to 1 inch apart.
- Second Rise: Cover with a damp towel and allow rolls to rise until puffy and noticeably grown, approximately 3-4 hours at 70°F. Alternatively, refrigerate overnight and then allow to rise at room temperature before baking.
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Cream: Preheat oven to 350°F. Warm the heavy cream to just before baking.
- Add Heavy Cream: Pour warm heavy cream over the rolls to help keep them soft while baking.
- Bake: Bake rolls at 350°F for 30-35 minutes, or until tops are golden brown and internal temperature reaches 190°F.
- Cool Slightly: Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
- Prepare Frosting: While rolls cool, beat unsalted butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add powdered sugar and heavy cream and mix until creamy.
- Frost Rolls: Spread cream cheese frosting over warm cinnamon rolls using an offset spatula, allowing frosting to melt into the rolls’ crevices. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Use a kitchen scale for precise ingredient measurements for best results.
- Dark brown sugar can be substituted with light brown sugar in the dough and filling.
- The dough rise times depend heavily on kitchen temperature; warmer conditions encourage faster rise.
- Make-ahead options: refrigerate or freeze shaped rolls overnight and allow them extra rise time before baking.
- For freezing, bake rolls without frosting, then freeze. Thaw and reheat before icing.
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days and bring to room temperature before serving.
- Serve warm with your favorite tea or coffee for an ideal breakfast treat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
